Take steps to keep termites from causing damage

DEAR READERS: Termites can do serious damage to your home, so check it often for signs of termite damage. Because termites eat wood, inspect wooden decks, steps, porches and underneath furniture for a pile of fine powder. If you notice this, call a professional exterminator right away. Don’t delay, because termites could eat into a supporting structure of your home.

Try to prevent termites from invading your home in the first place.

Termites are constantly digging dirt tunnels and seeking water. So don’t place wooden planters or piles of firewood next to your home.

It is just too tempting for them.

Heloise

DEAR READERS: Keeping your household organized and running can be quite a task.

Here’s some help to wrangle your children’s school activities, which will help all family members save time and energy.

Take these steps.

Place a basket on a table close to the front door to put your children’s papers in that need a signature and must be returned to school.

Put a bin in each child’s bedroom to hold all the stuff they bring home from school, such as books and backpacks. And designate a large plastic garbage can to hold all sports equipment.

Heloise

DEAR READERS: If you are planning a move, take note that moving is expensive. So it’s key to do your homework and research the costs well. First, get three bids in writing. Then do this: Make sure you understand the bid. Ask for a binding agreement rather than a “guesstimate,” where the final price could be much higher than the quote. Read all the fine print carefully so you know exactly what is included. It might be a good idea to consider purchasing extra insurance, if that is an option, to give you lots of coverage for possible damages.

Heloise

DEAR READERS: After you are done with these sheets from the dryer, don’t toss them out. They can be reused in many ways around the house. To freshen the air, hang sheets in closets, put under the seats of your car or put sheets in drawers. And to eliminate soap scum on shower doors, wipe them clean with a used fabric-softener sheet.

Heloise

DEAR READERS: If you have cooked a stew, vegetables or anything that you want to keep warm on the way to your gathering, here’s a good idea. Put the hot stew or veggies into a widemouth, half-gallon thermos. It will stay hot and won’t spill in your car.

Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you fax it to 210-HELOISE. Email heloise@heloise.com.